“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” — John Lebbock
Welcome to summer! This month starts the summer reading season – and we have just the story for you! NTCA Past President John Cox penned an article about the origins of his vast library of books on tile, business and success – and included a list of his must-read 11 books for you to explore. There are no fluffy romances here, but plenty of inspiration and information to give your business – and your outlook – a lift this summer.
Current NTCA President Rod Owen is putting his Business Acumen series on hold to delve into the importance of hiring qualified labor, and as he writes, “to thoroughly vet our workforce, whether hiring W-2 employees or subcontractors.” Make sure those on your team are an asset to your business!
Our Technical section summarizes a recent NTCA Webinar on Exterior Installations – the perfect read for summertime projects – and there’s a link to the actual webinar if you’d like to watch. Our Ask the Experts installment details tolerances for tile and why they are important. And our Technical feature, penned by James Woelfel and Nyle Wadford of NTCA’s Technical Committee, investigates the intricacies for installing large-format tile, including grout joint width, and mortar coverage.
NTCA’s community of Five-Star Accredited Contractors is growing, expanding the availability of qualified labor for residential, commercial and large commercial projects. Four of our Five-Star Accredited Contractors talk about the importance of the program to them, how it opened up opportunities, and the benefits of being part of this community of mutual support and ongoing learning.
Let your light shine – on your tile installations, that is! Expert lighting solutions add another dimension to artful, expert tile projects, wow your clients and accentuate the high-end, luxury materials. In our Artisan story, learn some lessons, tips and tricks for a range of project types, things to keep in mind when integrating lighting into installations, and some products to consider to illuminate your projects.
Speaking of products, visit our Product Focus section this month to learn more about cutters, mortars, tools and materials for large-and-heavy-tile installations.
In our One-to-One story, NTCA Deputy Director Jeremy Sax conducted some in-person interviews with industry movers and shakers at the recent Coverings show, and shares his findings in this feature.
And last but not least, our cover feature by RTC presents the tools and techniques that can facilitate installation of large-format tiles like cutters, handling systems and lippage tuning systems. RTC also supports industry training programs like those offered by NTCA.
Hoping your summer will include some time to kick back and relax with family and friends, and that your work-time is pleasant, precise, and profitable!
God bless,
Lesley
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
